Reporter

ONE man was found shot dead in a Sydney park. Another was killed on Mother's Day.

The case of Nikolas Argiropoulos, 24, who was found dead in Ballast Point Park, Birchgrove, on March 22, has been complicated by the stabbing death of James Polkinghorne in May, Newtown Local Court heard on Thursday.

Miguel Silva, 26, of Casula, was accused of helping Mr Polkinghorne avoid police over his involvement in the death of Mr Argiropoulos.

Mr Silva's sister, Jessica Silva, 22, is accused of murdering Mr Polkinghorne, her former boyfriend, during a struggle at her parents' home on Mother's Day. She is on remand.

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Miguel Silva is charged with being an accessory after the fact to Mr Argiropoulos's murder.

But Sergeant Hackett said Mr Polkinghorne's death meant the exact details of the shooting of Mr Argiropoulos were not known. ''The police can't determine who was the shooter because Mr Polkinghorne is dead,'' Sergeant Hackett said.

Sergeant Hackett told the magistrate, Margaret Quinn, that Ms Silva was one of several witnesses in the case.

Mr Silva's lawyer, Adam Houda, argued the case against his client was weak and that he should be released on bail because he had no previous convictions.

''There is no allegation that my client was involved in the killing,'' Mr Houda said.

Sergeant Hackett said text messages were sent from Mr Silva's phone to Mr Argiropoulos and Mr Polkinghorne.

But Mr Houda said the messages did not prove any links between the men over Mr Argiropoulos's death.

Ms Quinn granted Mr Silva bail with several conditions, including that he report to Liverpool police regularly and surrender his passport.

Mr Silva's parents were in court, as was his pregnant fiancee.

Mr Argiropoulos's father, Nikos, was also in court. The matter will be mentioned in Central Local Court next month.